Line holding device for bricklayers



Oct. 28, 1952 M. R. WEATHERS 2,615,253

LINE HOLDING DEVICE FOR BRICKLAYER Filed Aug. 2'? 1951 34 32 Maurice R. Weathers INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 28, 1952 Maurice RJ'W'ath'ers, Shelby, N. 0., assignor of fifty-gper centtov Charles E.Wal.lace, Jr.', Shelby;

' Application 2'7, 195 1 .SerialNo. 243,880

This invention relates to new anduseful improvements and structural refinements-in lme holding devices for bricklayers, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a deviceof the character herein described, "which' may'be easily and conveniently mounted on a corner ofa wall for the purpose of supporting a pai of horizontallines, disposed at right angles to'each other, so that courses of brick may be successively laid in a proper horizontally aligned and vertically spaced relation.

' 'An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means in the device for anchoring two lines thereto in a conveniently adjustable manner so that the lines properly intersect at the vertical corner line of the wall under construction, While another feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for properly locating and mounting the device in position, this being achieved in such manner that the device may be easily shifted from one course to the'next as the successive courses are laid.

Some of the advantages of the invention lie in its simplicity of construction, in its efficient and dependable operation, and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects andfeatures as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a corner of a wall under construction,

showing the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the invention per se; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and The device In embodies in its construction a frame l4 including two portions 14a and I4!) which are disclosed at right angles to each other, the entire frame preferably being fabricated from '5 Claims. (01. 33-35) two vertically spaced angle members l 6 connected by vertically extending bars 18 which are disposed and secured to the innersurfaces of the members |6,as is clearly shown in Figure 2. j

A pair of pads 20 arerigidly secured -to the 7 members It! in inwardly spaced relation from the members 16, so that when the device is'applied to the corner of a wall'under construction, a space 22 (see-Figures l and'3) exists between the pairs of pads, to accommodate a vertical plumb line 24 disposed at'the corner of the wall. In otherwords', by positioning the pads 20 inwardly of the members It, proper clearance for the line 24isa-ssured." i U To locate the device in a predetermined horizontalplane, a pair of projectible and retractible lugs 26 are swingably mounted on suitable studs 28 which are affixed to the upper member IS, the

lugs 26 having angulated finger pieces 30 so that they may be swung out of the way, so to speak, when they are not required.

Moreover, means are provided for positively anchorin the device in place, these means consisting of a pair of tension springs 32 which are anchored at one end to suitable studs 34, affixed to the lower member =l 6, the free ends of the springs 32 carrying hooks '36.

A pair of outwardly projecting brackets 38 are provided on the upper member 16 adjacent the corner thereof, these brackets preferably being in the form of a suitably angulated strap which is affixed by welding, or the like, to the upper member l6, and each bracket carries an element such as a stud 40 equipped with a washer 42 and a wing nut 44.

A pair of arms 46, provided with longitudinal slots 48, are positioned on the studs 40 between the washers 42 and the respective brackets 38, it being apparent from the foregoing that the arms 48 are slidable as well as swingable in their respective vertical planes. The upper end portions of the arms project substantially above the frame l4 and are provided with apertures '50 wherein the lines I2, I 2' may be anchored, either by means of a knot 52 or by a, frictional clamp '54, as desired.

When the invention is placed in use, the lugs 26 are swung inwardly and rested upon a course of bricks while the entire device abuts the corner of the wall with its pads 20 and the hooks as at the ends of the springs 32 are engaged with soft mortar 56 in a course of bricks already laid. The lines I2, l2 are then connected to the arms 46 and properly leveled, the arms, of course, being adjusted relative to the studs 40 so that the lines l2, l2 are disposed at the proper height above the last course of bricks. In addition, auxiliary fastening lines 58 may be connected to the device by anchoring them in suitable apertures 60 provided in the lower member 16, such as for example, by a nut 62 or clamp 64, and after the next course of bricks has been laid, the hooks 36 may be e mm; h mortar n i e en re device, with the -lines' l2, l2 and 58 tightly stretched, may be shifted upwardly to the next course, it being noted in this connection that by engaging the lugs 26 with such a next course of bricks, proper vertical spacing of the courses may be assured.

Although the lugs 26 may always be rested upon the uppermost course of bricks, it is preferable to insert the lugs in the soitmortarbetween i the uppermost and the next underlying course,"

the necessary vertical adjustment of the :lines 'I2,=

I2 being taken up by the slidability of the arms 4 5.onthe studs 40., By following this procedure, assurance is had that-the device does not interfere with the placing of mortar between 'thec'ourse Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is: 1

1. A line holding device of the character de-- scribed, comprising an angular frame adapted to abut a corner of the work, work engaging means for anchoring the frame in position, a laterally projecting element provided on said frame, and fa. longitudinally-slotted arm swingable and slidable"on"said-element in avertical plane, the upper end portion of said arm projecting above said frame and being provided with means for anchor- .ingla line thereto.

' 2. A line'holding device of the character described; comprising an angular frame including 'two side portions disposed at right angles to each other and adapted to abut a corner of the work,

work engaging means for anchoring the frame in position, a pair of elements projecting laterally from the respective side portions of said frame, and a pair of longitudinally slotted arms swingable andslidableon,the respective elements in vertical planes, upper end portions of said arms projectingabove; said frame and being provided with means for anchoring lines thereto. g

3. 'I'hefldevice as defined in claim 2, wherein said means include tension springs connected to saidzframaand work engaging hooks provided onsaid springs. a

Fl. Thedevice as defined in claim -2, together with horizontal work abutment-lugs provided at the upper edge of said frame. 1 -5.' The device, as definedin claim 2, together with workengaging pads provided on and spaced the side. portions of saidframe.

inwardly from -MAURICE. R. WEATHERS.-

No references cited. 

